Key To A Goblin's Heart

Victoria POV

I hated Mike right from the beginning. I couldn't really point out why I had such strong feelings towards him, maybe it was just his presence in my room which had been solely my own until now. I didn't want anyone else encroaching on my life, however pathetic it was. But I really couldn't prevent Mike's intrusion and that made me hate him even more. 

My foster parents weren't bad people exactly, it would be more appropriate to say that they were rather dreamy. They had lofty ideals, as a result they had started fostering random orphan kids, but they only liked to think. Execution wasn't much in their foray, and as a result all the foster children, including myself often went neglected and bitter. 

They had noticed me being a recluse, and like the great thinkers that they are, they had assumed that it was just a teenage phase and would soon pass. I mean, it would be really difficult for them to interfere in my life and try to steer the course of actions, it would simply be too much work. They were not upto work, so they simply let things settle themselves on their own. But things rarely did. 

I wanted someone to talk to, and at the same time I wanted to be left alone. I was a walking contradiction, and often I had thought that maybe my biological parents had realised it earlier, that I would be a great trouble and thus had abandoned me. 

Mike was a welcome instrusion in their lives, because they had assumed that he would make me open up more and be more receptive. I was completely the opposite, and I hated his presence in every way possible. He was snobbish, nerdy and all he did was complain about everything. He would keep track of my movements, remind me that I am late to do stuff (like cleaning my room), happily point out all the mistakes that I had made, and be a crooked judgmental person. I prayed so hard to get rid of him then. 

I had also given Principal Johnson's proposal a thought, and I was actually considering it. I had done a lot of research on the internet, and came around testimonials where people claimed that boxing had improved their stress issues and had made them a better person. I didn't know if I wanted to be a better person, but I surely would love to learn how to beat the shit out of people, and if it helps me deal with the stress then even better. 

So, finally I had decided that I would give this sport a try. I signed up for the course and took the form downstairs, to be signed by my foster parents. 

They were sitting by the fireplace, musing some of their lofty ideals while Mike was working on the kitchen table. I shot him a side glance and then cleared my throat to obtain the attention of my foster parents. 

"What is it? I can't believe you are up so early!" George, my foster father said. 

"Actually, I have something that I wanted to tell you." I said slowly, then passed the papers towards them. 

"Geez, I hope they aren't legal papers or anything." George quipped good-humoredly as Sasha, my foster mother read through them. 

"You wanna take up boxing?" She looked at me with her eyebrows raised. 

George gave a low whistle and said, "Damn girl! That's a tough sport. Are you sure you are upto it?"

I pursed my lips and nodded. 

"Principal Johnson suggested it, it will help me with my... err issues and also teach me something of self defense. So, if you please sign the form…" I suggested. 

Mike gave a short cackle. 

"Boxing! That's a very violent sport though. Are you sure that it'll be good for your mental health?" He said. 

There, there was all the reason why I hated this guy. He is simply too nosy, why does he have to have an opinion on everything? I ignored his comments and implored my parents to sign the form, which they did afterall. 

Joining boxing was probably one of the most dramatic decisions I had taken in my life, and I must say that it did pay off. I had never thought that seeing my life in a retrospect will bring back so many memories, so much I have grown from that little young scared girl! I wish I had known that things will change for better, atleast then….when I was plunging into the hallows of grief and destruction. 

I don't know why I chose the path that I did, maybe it was my complete apathy towards life or maybe it was just my strong desire to do something that would stir a response, maybe kindle something in my heart so that I would live like an actual breathing human being. Maybe, it was just a desire to do something destructive, because I had been tired of being a loner anyway. 

That's how I had gotten into drugs. At first, it was just Tony, the High school dealer who had seen me being a wallflower, and had approached me with the proposal to change my life. For some bucks, he said that he could finally make me feel happy. I didn't quite understand his meaning then, but I decided to try anyway…. atleast what can be worse than the state I am living in? Thus, I had my first taste of drugs...and really there was no going back. 

They made me feel alive, rejuvenated and less lonely...they made me experience heaven in my personal hell. I was tired all the time, trying to hide my existence away, but the drugs made me feel like a human being again. So, I kept taking them. My debts started to increase, and I was forced into the business of drug dealing itself. I wonder what George and Sasha would have said if they saw their perfect dreams shattering in the form of me. 

I had kept my dealings a secret, but one day when I returned home…. I was greeted by a visibly enraged Mike...who held up a white bag in his arms having all the stash of my drugs, and he was glaring at me menacingly. 

"These are what, Victoria?" He said. 

I tried to snatch the stash away from him, but he was too quick. 

"You are a spoilt brat, I knew. But drugs! Really! How could you? Do you know that you could get jailed for this? And you would drag all of us down in your quicksand! Get rid of all this and come back to your senses." He spat. 

I stood quietly, never mind replying him and I was searching for an opportunity to snatch the bag away. But he sensed my desire, and ran away from my sight so I had no option but to follow. Mike was really quick, and he ran to the bathroom, and to my greatest horror...flushed the entire cartel of drugs down the toilet!

"Are you out of your mind!" I screamed, "Those were worth more than my life! Now what do I do??"

"You stop doing drugs!" Mike chimed sternly, and something changed in his face...he suddenly looked like an adult. 

"Victoria...you aren't a bad person." He said, "but these...these are making you bad. Drugs do things to your mind, and you would have realized it only too late. I didn't want you to face the same thing that...that my mother did. I am glad I flushed all those away, and I beg you to stop. Please you are better than this."

I was stunned by his words, and I knew fully well that I had no ready defence against them. Whom was I fooling? Myself? The drugs did shit to my body, and I tried to ignore all that for a second of pleasure, a tiny ebb of high. I knew Mike was right, but I had no voice left to say anything. Also, did he say that his mother was a drug addict? He must have had a very difficult childhood then. I realised with a shudder, how easily I had judged him for his angsty behaviour... without realising that maybe that's how I am perceived most of the time.

However, the fact that the drugs had gone down the toilet was also to be handled with. And I was determined to keep Mike out of the mess. I don't know why, but I had a sudden feeling of solidarity towards him…. I felt like protecting him, maybe because there was no one to protect me. 

"Thank you." I said in a slow voice, looking at Mike directly in the eyes, " I don't know... what came over me. I... I had it hard from childhood, and maybe I thought everyone had it so easy so I was angry, and maybe frustrated and I don't know... I just wanted to do something that would be outrageous. I know I have been rude with you, Mike...but I really never meant to be that way."

Mike gave a tiny smile, "I know. And don't worry, I won't tell anyone about it. Just make sure to deal with your stuff in an appropriate manner, and go seek some help. We all are living in our personal hell, one way and the other."

A look of understanding passed between us, and in that moment of hesitancy... I decided that maybe I had finally found someone to have a connection with. In that moment, Mike truly became a brother to me.